Different moments on one day -
it could start with a giant leap
as if you were on a slide
whizzing straight forward

But then again, moments
looming like mountains
making you stop at once
and hold your breath

A day's length's too far ahead
to foresee when time can
seem a windscreen wiper
on a foggy road

Try not to concern too much:
still so many moments to go
look how far you've come
from point zero

So count your blessings
keep your fingers crossed
and feel the progress
you have made

Eelco van der Waals
16 August 2025

To C.

What you've
been through
ain't nothing

You don't need to
play it down

Stay in touch with
what's still fragile
as you walk
into the town

At the same time
feel the strength
you have refound
in your chest

Both are needed
in the balance
to live truthful
at your best

Eelco van der Waals
15 August 2025

Hospital bed
like a boat in the night
drifting on waves
of uncertainty

machinery blinking
on the pulse of your arm,
beeps on and off like
a lighthouse at sea -

your vessel reaches
the harbour of dawn
where white-coated sailors
enter the gangway

bringing news and measures
of a safe journey home after
a bumpy ride. You disembark
on shaky feet in gratitude.

Eelco van der Waals
29 July 2025

Two feet going forward
one foot at a time, giving
every step a new direction
on the tracks of change

Who's in charge here?
the eye sees the path to go
the ear hearing fresh winds blow
the mind seems the one to know

Yet two feet shape their way
going further step by step
to targets and to destiny
where things come round

All is choice and choice is all
links together build the chain
of small events in a stream
flowing to the great blue sea

Eelco van der Waals
1 August 2025

Patterns woven day by day
in the workshop of your mind

all throughout childhood
getting tighter all the time
so that they at a certain spot
appear to be unchangeable.

Up till the turning point where
sudden signals shake you up
with threats ahead for life or death
and everythings stands still.

Away is all fixed certainty
from this new viewing point
where you take deeper breaths
and reset means a brandnew start.

Eelco van der Waals
2 August 2025

Getting older is a daily thing
ice gets thinner underneath your weight
and vulnerability is growing
in the mirrors that you pass

A vein in your head says no
and oxygen is blocked to your lip
that goes hanging, making words
different with a mumbling sound

Doctors are there, checking and
prescribing medicine to conquer
lasting effects after one night
in a hospital bed like a boat at sea

Every reason to be grateful and to
write poetry learning for now and
ever, expressing your gratitude,
celebrating vulnerability

Eelco van der Waals
3 August 2025

Horizons shift slowly
where we are, here on deck
with open water all around

carrying our boat
to unknown land
with every wave and
wind that blows

This journey has no end
but ports in a row
bringing cargoes and fixes
after rough and calm seas

All questions posed
by currents and winds
you answer holding
your hand on the helm

steering the bow of the boat
with the flow and then higher
to stay on your course
with time on your side

Eelco van der Waals
4 August 2025

Learning by doing,
doing things slow,
slow meaning half of
the speed that you know

Slow down your breath
and the beat of your heart
making things better
make a new start

Slower is better and
good for your brains,
as it helps to avoid
any stress on your veins

Learn to enjoy this
look and see more
right where you are
as you open the door

Take a new step standing
firm on the ground
breathe and enjoy all
the things to be found

Eelco van der Waals
5 August 2025

Accomplishing small things
like breathing in-and-out
standing up from the couch
taking a pencil and notebook
walking into the garden
seeing the sun through the tree
and making a quick sketch

means changing position
to see the whole picture at hand

so look at your life
straighten your back
feel wind on your face
hear the blackbird sing

and taste satisfaction
on the tip of your tongue

Eelco van der Waals
6 August 2025

No more nonsense
no more excuse
no more things
you can't refuse

No more blabla
no more delay
no more things
you should today

All that matters
in this quest
is what's beating
in your chest

Do not care of
all the noise
listen to your
inner voice

Eelco van der Waals
6 August 2025